Federal-Benefits Paper Checks--Soon to Be a Relic

Beginning on March 1, 2013, federal-benefit recipients must receive their benefits electronically rather than by a paper check. The default payment form is a Direct Express debit card, but recipients may instead designate a traditional bank account, an electronic transfer account, or another general-purpose reloadable prepaid card to receive the funds. the exceptions to the required shift to electronic benefits are very limited. [Editor's Note: For more on electronic benefits, see resources available from our Assets Opportunity Unit.]